Route 349 in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts closed for an indefinite period | Spring Floods in Quebec

Only emergency vehicles can drive on the structure in case of emergency only.

We have reached the end of the day, we have made three observations, explains MTQ spokesperson Roxanne Pellerin, in an interview on the program Live. First, the water level does not decrease. Secondly, minor erosion has been observed, but in certain places, on the shoulders, on the section that is flooded. And thirdly, with the coming darkness it will no longer be possible to have a visual that is adequate to monitor the evolution of the situation, to ensure the safety of the section.

This preventive closure has been in effect since 6 p.m. Tuesday and will be for an indefinite period. She will be reassessed on Wednesday morning.

Roxanne Pellerin indicates that Route 349 is flooded over a distance of three or four kilometres. I would tell you that it can go from less than an inch of water in certain places, to more than ten inches of water in other places, so you will understand that at present, it is very difficult to be able to inspect the road properlyshe continued.

On Tuesday, only trucks could pass through it safely. The MTQ ministry dispatched tow trucks to the site in order to be able to transport the cars that must go to Trois-Rivières as a matter of urgency.

Evacuation notice

The authorities are on high alert in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts where the Loup River and Saint-Alexis Lake are overflowing in places. A preventive evacuation notice was communicated to the population on Tuesday morning.

Due to the present floods and the inaccessibility of certain roads, the municipal authorities recommend that people at risk of health problems or having fears for their safety evacuate their homes.can we read.

Last night, there was a fairly strong storm between 11 a.m. and midnight, which is what leads to our water problems this morning. [mardi], says the mayor of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, Michel Bourassa. The river was already extremely high last night.

Lac Saint-Alexis, in the center of the village, spills over onto Rue Sainte-Anne, which is passable only by truck. Four other houses are surrounded by water. The owners try to protect them. The authorities also place concrete blocks to protect the residences from the waves that form when cars pass.

The bridge over the Rivière du Loup is closed to traffic in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts. Rows Baril and Saint-Joseph are also impassable.

A person was evacuated Tuesday morning as a preventive measure and on a voluntary basis, said the mayor.

The water overflowed into this street of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts.

Photo: Courtesy of Annie Allard

The last time the mayor saw such a flood in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts was in 2018.

Minor flooding elsewhere in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec

Tuesday morning, minor flooding was also observed at Lake Saint-Pierre and around the Maskinongé River in Sainte-Ursule, indicates the civil security of Quebec.

Around 10:30 a.m., the MTQ announced that traffic is alternating on route 138 at rue Notre-Dame Ouest in Trois-Rivières.

Traffic obstructions are observed between Saint-Paulin and Saint-Alexis-des-Monts as well as in Saint-Ursule due to flooding.

Photo: Quebec 511

In Nicolet, the authorities and residents are on high alert. It is certain that we remain vigilant, that we watch the situation evolve, we have already made available to the citizens piles of sand and empty bagssaid Monday the director of communications of the City, Sébastien Turgeon.

The situation is stable in Haute-Mauricie, but the authorities remain in surveillance mode. The good news is that the snow cover is decreasing significantly in the Haute-Mauricie, so that will allow us […] to have a breakestimates the regional director of civil security in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec, Sylvain Gallant.